Question for Christian Disney parents

[Daisy'sMama]

To DD8 and I, the "magic" of WDW is the "loving" attitude people use. I know the cast members are paid to be nice, but every time we get a little "pixie dust" I ask Daisy how she can share that love with someone else. Frankly, I think if we each took a little of the "magic" home with us, we could become even better Christians in our daily lives. Daisy knows the characters are just people in costumes, she just loves the attention they give and the happiness they share. I think you can find God in Disney magic, it just depends on your perspective.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

To DD8 and I, the "magic" of WDW is the "loving" attitude people use. I know the cast members are paid to be nice, but every time we get a little "pixie dust" I ask Daisy how she can share that love with someone else. Frankly, I think if we each took a little of the "magic" home with us, we could become even better Christians in our daily lives. Daisy knows the characters are just people in costumes, she just loves the attention they give and the happiness they share. I think you can find God in Disney magic, it just depends on your perspective.

I agree with you, the 'magic' to us is the love and kindness and Christian spirit we should show to each other, it's happiness and love. I think it depends on how you look at it. We don't think of the Disney 'magic' in the sense of magic tricks. It just depends on how you want to look at the word, literally or figuratively. My children's teacher did a great unit on magic last year. At a Christian school, we focused on how much fun magic tricks are, put on a huge magic show, but helped the kids to understand and use the word 'illusion' and that only God can do miracles. I hope when people are responding to this post, they keep an open mind to the fact that everyone looks at the word 'magic' from different angles. I know one thing we can all agree on as Dis fans, we all understand what we say when we talk about the 'magic' of Disney. It's a positive feeling we all understand! Have a magical day!!!

 

[MommyBell08]

I believe the answer to both questions would be to explain to your children that God is real and Disney 'magic' is just for fun. Praying to and having a relationship with God is real and wishing apon a star is for fun! If your child is old enough to ask that question, I think you should explain to them the truth. We Love Love Love Disney, but your children should (in my opinion) know that God is real and Disney 'Magic' is something we do for fun. I think you will still have just as much fun with Disney, and family vacations, even though its hard to 'kill' the 'magic' of it. I think your children will still enjoy Disney just as much as we do knowing the truth and we know tinkerbell isn't really flying over Magic Kingdom, or is she? lol hahaha

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks again for everyone's perspectives! I agree with you all here. I don't normally over think things...we do Santa, read Harry Potter and things like that. I just love Disney so much that maybe I'm over doing it a bit!Maybe my kids are starting to see my belief in Disney as equal as my belief in God!I probably need to watch that! I tried to explain the difference between the magic of Disney, sorcerer magic and God's miracles but I just blubbered out a bunch of words that just made my kids look at me strange!My older kids take in all in fun and get it. My younger ones will come along, I'm sure. Thanks, again!

 

[Bridge203618]

I definitely think any reference to magic in the bible and the magic of disney or something else that seems or is explained by magical is different. I think Jesus/God is magical and I use the reference to my 3 year old a lot. Partially because that is the simplest way to explain it to her. She also believes that Santa and the Easter Bunny are magical. I would say the same for the disney characters. When things seems unimagineable it just seems magical or like a miracle. I don't think there is any harm in that! We tell My daughter Jesus is the most magical of all!

I definitely think wishing on a star is different than praying to God. Why can't you do both? I could wish on my thumb but in the end, God is the one that brings forth everything! Wishing is just for fun! Praying to God is something we should ALWAYS do! God put those stars there anyway. And for a child who can't understand where Heaven is - the stars and heaven might seem pretty similar! I don't think there is harm in that. You aren't praying to the stars

 

[NY Disney fan]

Maybe my kids are starting to see my belief in Disney as equal as my belief in God!I probably need to watch that!

I know how you feel. Sometimes my Vera Bradley bag obsession gets too much and I need to chill out and remember that when I die I can't take them with me.

 

[iwrbnd]

I believe the answer to both questions would be to explain to your children that God is real and Disney 'magic' is just for fun. Praying to and having a relationship with God is real and wishing apon a star is for fun! If your child is old enough to ask that question, I think you should explain to them the truth. We Love Love Love Disney, but your children should (in my opinion) know that God is real and Disney 'Magic' is something we do for fun. I think you will still have just as much fun with Disney, and family vacations, even though its hard to 'kill' the 'magic' of it. I think your children will still enjoy Disney just as much as we do knowing the truth and we know tinkerbell isn't really flying over Magic Kingdom, or is she? lol hahaha

I agree with you! I don't know why my younger ones are asking these questions because they're old enough to know the characters at WDW aren't real. I like the way you put it saying "It's just for fun". That short and sweet and to the point! Even I could blubber that out of my mouth!

 

[JUJU814]

I know how you feel. Sometimes my Vera Bradley bag obsession gets too much and I need to chill out and remember that when I die I can't take them with me.

What?? We can't take our Vera's with us???? Now that IS a problem!

 

[Maleficent&Goons]

I'm not a religious person in the sense of going to church. I believe in God. I often wonder why people get hung up in the words and not the meaning. I see "magic" every day when I look at my daughter. But to answer your question I think your kids are starting to think in the abstract which is great, but also means that you're going to get a lot more WHY questions. I would personally tell them that it's a different type of magic. Disney was built on the idea of fun and Family and more importantly LOVE!

 

[iwrbnd]

What?? We can't take our Vera's with us???? Now that IS a problem!

Now I'm laughing! I guess we all have our obsessions to watch!

 

[jagafen]

There are many references to it in the Bible.

The references are to sorcery, false gods and the antichrist...those types of "magic"....faith healing comes to mind first (not trying to start drama, just use an example)...

Also, magic has more than one meaning/context.....not all forms of the word "magic" imply "deeds not of God".

Wishing on a star is up to you. DS always makes a wish at shooting stars, and for his birthday. We don't discourage those practices, I guess it matters on how conservatively you practice your religion.

 

[princessmom29]

I was simply responding to your statement that you're Christian and never heard that God says you're not supposed to believe in magic.

There are many references to it in the Bible. It's not my opinion. It's just a fact. There are indeed biblical references. That's all.

If you are Christian then you must believe the Bible is the word of God..and you said you've never heard that God says that..I was just pointing it out that if you're curious, you can find out what He says about it in the Bible.

I'm not preaching. I love Disney and that "magic" of Disney.

I also am right there with DisneyDoc5 who wrote what she wrote so eloquently.

OP, I get what you were trying to ask.

I certainly have no intention of entering into any kind of debate or argument over this. I was merely replying to your statement. It wasn't meant to be snarky.

I am a christain, and I DON'T believe that every word that is in my modern bible came straight from the mouth of God. The bible has been trough several translations be several different groups with their own agendas by the time it gets to us in English. While I feel that the essence of what it is trying to teach is still there, it has been editied throughthe years. The king James version was created by king James of England, and supported his agenda. Things were left out that he didn't want included. Many, many words have been mistranslated through the years, and for some the translation is swimply lost. For instance the word that was tanslated "manger" actually likely meant some kind of basement or clod cellar, not a trough where animals eat. This is just one of many, but it means a significant change in the story. Others are even more crucial.

 

[momz]

There is an obvious difference...even to children...between the imaginary "magic" that is WDW, and the supernatural power of God.

Wishing upon a star is not praying. What is the greatest commandment? The star has no power to hear, or answer your prayer.

Isn't it fun that God gave us imagination...does any other of God's creation have this ability?

I need to remind myself sometimes that perhaps I don't give my own kids enough credit for seeing the differences between what is real and what is make-believe.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

1. God DOESN'T say we shouldn't believe in MAGIC. God says we shouldn't practice sorcery. There is adefinite difference. Sorcery is performed by men, nd seeks to do evil, or to supplant the power of God. God preforms magic every time the sun comes up, in my opinion. Every child that is healed despite the doctor saying they cannot be is magical. As for the magic of Disney, Harry Potter, CS Lewis ect.: They are fictional portrayls. Nothing more and not harmful to anyone in any way. They are no different than Santa or the tooth fairy, and no more harmful or "evil". CS Lewis used the magical world of Narnia as christian allegory, and very few christians have objection to it. A talking lion, a healing potion, and a magic bow and arrows are all parts of the "good side" of this story.

2. BOTH!!!!! To me that wish upon a star is my own little prayer of thankgivng for God's magic in my life and hope for the future.

this

 

[Momvic5]

We are a Christian family, and we absolutely love Disney! I think that sometimes we get so caught up on the word "magic" that we forget to look at what the word is representing. For me and my family, the word magic has different representations and uses.

For me, when Disney uses the word magic, it is used to help us escape from reality and enter into a world of make believe. The only source that we have to tap into it find Disney's magic is our imaginations. Our imaginations hold the power in Disney's magic.

Sometimes we use the word magic to explain something unexplainable.

And then there is magic that is sorcery...the kind of magic that has its origins in evil or darkness. The kind of magic that taps into evil for its strength or power. Dark or evil sources hold the power in this magic.

We, too, wish upon stars, but God is ultimately who we are seeking. We are speaking to the Creator of the stars when we wish upon a star.

 

[iwrbnd]

I just love everyone's answers! Thanks, again!I just wish you all had been here when I was trying to answer these questions! Really you could have made a Saturday Night Live skit out of my attempts to answer them!I'll never forget their faces as they listened to me! I think I began to sound like the teacher on Charlie Brown!

My kids go to Awanas and have become quite well versed and their theology is starting to pass me up! Pretty soon I'll be the one with the child like faith!

 

[iwrbnd]

We are a Christian family, and we absolutely love Disney! I think that sometimes we get so caught up on the word "magic" that we forget to look at what the word is representing. For me and my family, the word magic has different representations and uses.

For me, when Disney uses the word magic, it is used to help us escape from reality and enter into a world of make believe. The only source that we have to tap into it find Disney's magic is our imaginations. Our imaginations hold the power in Disney's magic.

Sometimes we use the word magic to explain something unexplainable.

And then there is magic that is sorcery...the kind of magic that has its origins in evil or darkness. The kind of magic that taps into evil for its strength or power. Dark or evil sources hold the power in this magic.

We, too, wish upon stars, but God is ultimately who we are seeking. We are speaking to the Creator of the stars when we wish upon a star.

This is so well put, too! I'm going to remember the word "imagination" when referring to the magic of Disney, too!

 

[JUJU814]

I am a christain, and I DON'T believe that every word that is in my modern bible came straight from the mouth of God. The bible has been trough several translations be several different groups with their own agendas by the time it gets to us in English. While I feel that the essence of what it is trying to teach is still there, it has been editied throughthe years. The king James version was created by king James of England, and supported his agenda. Things were left out that he didn't want included. Many, many words have been mistranslated through the years, and for some the translation is swimply lost. For instance the word that was tanslated "manger" actually likely meant some kind of basement or clod cellar, not a trough where animals eat. This is just one of many, but it means a significant change in the story. Others are even more crucial.

Thank you. I am *very* well educated on the history of the translations of the scriptures. I was not trying to get into a theological discussion on the Disney message boards.

As a born again Christian, I take my faith very seriously and believe that the bible is THE inspired word of God. To be a good student of the scripture, it is important to know how to inductively study it, having an understanding of the differences in the translations, history, *context*, a little Hebrew and Greek understanding and utilizing those study tools doesn't hurt. Obviously, when the bible says if your eye causes you to stray then cut it out, I don't think God means that literally. KWIM?

Anyway, it's really not a topic for these boards. I merely was pointing out to a pp that there are references to "magic" "sorcery" "witchcraft" (different words in different translations.) in the Bible. I just was quick in my reply because pp said she had never heard of that before. I don't think any have to do with the Disney magic we are all talking about. Just that there are Christians that have strong views on the word "magic" and they are derived from such passages, whether they are taken out of context or not.

That all said, the Christians that are dead set against magic in the most very literal sense of the word, would never be frequenting a Disney message board. We've known a few rather "extreme" families over the years that don't allow fairytales, Disney, make believe...even any fiction for that matter. To each his own I guess.

When I married dh, he was NOT a Disney fan. Still isn't. He actually was one of those extremists that wanted to boycott Disney (remember that???) I made it ABUNDANTLY clear that if we were to have any kind of life together, Disney would be a part of it for me and my children!

I am always in awe of how intricate our human spirit is created, how different we all are..how God is the one that created us to play, imagine, have fun, "make believe" and enjoy life to the fullest. When I have a "magical" day at Disney..or any day...it's because my God has made it so.

I cannot wait till this Thursday when I get on the "Magical Express" with my 6yo dd and tell her that when we pass the WDW sign, we're entering a world of magical make believe and all the characters will come to life" blah blah blah. When I watch Wishes and Jimminy Cricket talks about wishing on a star and I stand there and see the wonder in my child's eyes, and have a tear rolling down my cheek, and look back at my child, I see the miracle God gave me and all the blessings He sends.

 

[JUJU814]

The references are to sorcery, false gods and the antichrist...those types of "magic"....faith healing comes to mind first (not trying to start drama, just use an example)...

Also, magic has more than one meaning/context.....not all forms of the word "magic" imply "deeds not of God".

Wishing on a star is up to you. DS always makes a wish at shooting stars, and for his birthday. We don't discourage those practices, I guess it matters on how conservatively you practice your religion.

yes..what she said

 

[iwrbnd]

It's interesting to read everyone's views. I'm glad we can discuss them without being "snarky".

I take my faith very seriously but I wouldn't call my self an extremist. I have friends like that, though. They don't do Santa, make-believe or anything. I just figure "to each their own". It only bothered me when their kids would tell mine Santa was fake!

I remember reading Harry Potter to my kids and somebody made me feel bad about it. I asked my husband if I was using poor judgement and he said "If our kids become devil worshippers from reading Harry Potter then we've done more wrong than that!" I laughed but thought he made a very good point! I don't want to over analyze parenting/Christianity so much that I rob my kids (and myself) of the fun in life! God wants us to have fun and be joyful. I thank God for Walt Disney and the memories he's made possible for our family! Just yesterday my 7 year old said to me "Mommy, Disney makes me happy!" I said "Me too, honey!"

I actually never thought of the whole magic or wishing on a star as anything but wonderful until my kids started asking! Kids these days! Their getting too smart for their own good!